I keep certain smaller drill sizes around. I get a lot of use out of .047 and .040. Also see need for a couple of smaller ones, don't remember them right now. As for drill number, who knows? I don't like using abstract numbers like american wire gauge or drill numbers. Give me the actual dimension, then I can mic the fastener and know what size drill I need for a clear hole. My quirk...
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal. Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
zstripeAll you need is a small pair of serrated jaw needle nose pliers to install. Take Care! Frank
Frank,I also use M-E spikes and a pair of used Micro-Mark Spike Insertion pliers I picked up at a Train Show for $6.00..
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Micro-Mark-82839-Spike-Insertion-Plier-p/mmk-82839.htm
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
carl425 Benjamin Maggi What about a staple gun, having the staples 90-degrees to the ties? As if nails aren't ugly enough?
Benjamin Maggi What about a staple gun, having the staples 90-degrees to the ties?
What about a staple gun, having the staples 90-degrees to the ties?
As if nails aren't ugly enough?
...until you mount a mini camera on a flat car and film a video moving around your layout. Then, the heads of the track nails look like small boulders in the path of the train.
I have never recovered from watching my own video.
I have never been able to look at my layout in the same way ever again.
Rich
Alton Junction
Medina1128 Instead of using Atlas track spikes, I use Micro Engineering spikes. The M-E spikes are L-shaped, making drilling unnecessary.
Instead of using Atlas track spikes, I use Micro Engineering spikes. The M-E spikes are L-shaped, making drilling unnecessary.
I use the same kind...3/8''shank......My roadbed is Homasote. Works like a charm. You really have to get up close to see the spike head.
All you need is a small pair of serrated jaw needle nose pliers to install.
Take Care!
Frank
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
You mean a recular staple gun, or the old Kadee Track stapaler. That works real good but has not been made in 30years althouygh repair parts are still available from Kadee... But not enough parts to build a new gun.
Those that are out and about are rather old and there is no gaurantee that it would work properly.
I wish they would put them back into production. That would bring a renosanse of hand laid track.
Or maybe a track company might buy the patents and put it back into production.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
I use a 0.047" drill bit. I think that works out to 3/64" fractional.
.
This works well with the spikes I have.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
1/16" worked for me.
Yeah... LIONS know all about #50 and #54 drills. Him has many of them left over from WW-II military surplus...
That said 1/16" is cheaper, does not break as easily as the smaller ones, and for the hole. it works, it will let the nail pass through the tie and the nail head covers hole. What is the big deal.
If you're using Atlas track, the holes are there already: simply flip the track upside down, then use one of the Atlas track nails to open the pre-formed holes which you see in the bottom of some of the ties. Hold the track nail with pliers, insert it into a hole and give it a push. When you flip the track right side up, you'll see where the holes are locate - use the pliers to push the nails in place wherever they're needed, but take care to not push so hard that it deforms the tie, as this can alter the gauge of the track, leading to derailments.
Wayne
This depends on the nail size. I use a drill bit that gives a snug fit, but one where i can push the nail in most of the way and then very lightly tap down with a nail set and hobby hammer. Idealy there the nail head is the thickness of a piece of paper above the tie. You may have to drill a couple of holes to get the right one for your nails.
Paul
I use Atlas track nails. I use a #58 .042 drill bit which works nicely.
Maybe find a drill bit that matches the nails your using.
Mike.
My You Tube
Hi,
What size drill bit would you use for drilling a hole in ties. I want to
nail down my track and test it before I glue the track down. I may want
to change my track plan.
Thanks
Chris